Why do you keep mitzvot?

When you understand that there is a Cre-ator of everything and he is in full control of what's happening in the world and that the Cre-ator decides the direction of your life dependened on your choices that gives you a strong push to keep mizwot.

Disclaimer: The comments made by this poster do not necessarily represent an actual opinion, they are merely the latest output of an infinite amount of monkeys working on Shakespeare________________________________

"Spiritual wants and instincts are as various in the human family as are physical appetites, complexions, and features, and a man is only at his best, morally, when he is equipped with the religious garment whose color and shape and size most nicely accommodate themselves to the spiritual complexion, angularities, and stature of the individual who wears it."

"The despotism of heaven is the one absolutely perfect government. An earthly despotism would be the absolutely perfect earthly government, if the conditions were the same; namely, the despot the perfectest individual of the human race, and his lease of life perpetual. But as a perishable perfect man must die, and leave his despotism in the hands of an imperfect successor, an earthly despotism is not merely a bad form of government, it is the worst form that is possible."

"Spiritual wants and instincts are as various in the human family as are physical appetites, complexions, and features, and a man is only at his best, morally, when he is equipped with the religious garment whose color and shape and size most nicely accommodate themselves to the spiritual complexion, angularities, and stature of the individual who wears it."

"The despotism of heaven is the one absolutely perfect government. An earthly despotism would be the absolutely perfect earthly government, if the conditions were the same; namely, the despot the perfectest individual of the human race, and his lease of life perpetual. But as a perishable perfect man must die, and leave his despotism in the hands of an imperfect successor, an earthly despotism is not merely a bad form of government, it is the worst form that is possible."

God, grant us the...
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.

God, grant us the...
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.

Greetings. As anyone can tell from my profile, I've been lurking on the site for a couple of years, now. I was not raised with any Jewish education, and so observed none of the mitzvot. I attended the local orthodox shul for Yom Kippur 5771, then went back again for High Holidays 5772, and have attended semi-regularly (at least once per week, usually more), but I've lived about 20 miles away. I've started some studying on my own, though, as well as asking lots of questions at shul. Due to a recent change in my personal circumstances, though, I intend to move into the local eruv so I can jump into observance a little more than heretofore.

Anyway, I've chosen this thread for my first post, because it seems to involve some fairly basic questions. Naturally, anyone should feel free to correct me when I get something wrong, as is practically inevitable.

Why do you keep mitzvot?

And saying "because God told me to" isn't a good enough answer.

It may not be good enough for you, but that is in fact the answer for most mitzvot.

There are, however, some mitzvot that we would likely do even if not commanded to do so, e.g., no murder, no theft, &c.

Why do you care that God told you to?

Because we have an eternal covenant with HaShem to be his treasured people. We hold up our end, He holds up His.

But even more, I've been given to understand is that the mitzvot are opportunities to uplift ourselves. This may be selfish, but it's in my best interest to keep the mitzvot as best I can. At this point in my life and (Jewish) education, I can't do very much, but I can at least try & get better at it. Until less than 6 months ago, I had never even seen a tefillin; now, thanks to Kesser Israel having a 'public' set, I can put one on anytime I show up for shacharis.

Why do you believe in this god vs. any other god?

There is only One.

Of course, this is all based on about 6 months' education, so quite likely I'm missing something.

Great video music from Gad Elbaz about Bejs Amikdash with some scenes animations of Beis Amikdash and Kohen Hagadol. It can help a little to understand what we lost and what we should feel for Beis Hamikdash!!!

Broken heart is very beneficial to come closer to H-shem, but sadness (Azvut) is hated by H-shem. If not mourning for Bejs Hamikdash, Galus and Avejros we should act according to rabbi Nchman's statement:
"Mizva gedojla lijos besimcha tamid!"

Great question. We should all ask our self this, so we internalize what we are doing and then do it with kavanah. For me, I believe that Hashem gave us the mitzvos so we can connect to Him. It is food for our soul. Plus, when we do something between person & person like tzadaka or shemiras halashon, or between person and G-d like prayer or Shabbos, we bring blessing to the world. So we do both, nourish our own soul while also spreading light. We don't notice the impact we make, whether good or bad, big or small. But our ripples can go a long way

God, grant us the...
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.

This Question is based on the premise that by not keeping the mitzvot you would be happier or your life would be better.I believe the premise is false, therefor there is no question.

Your life may be easier not keeping mitzvot, but easier not = better.People work and go to collage even if its easier not to, because they believe it will make their lives better.

And saying "because God told me to" isn't a good enough answer. Why do you care that God told you to?

If you trust god that he cares for you and means only your best interest, why is because god told you not a good enough answer?The correct question should be why did god tell you so?If god loves us so much why does he make our lives difficult with mitzvot?

Why do you believe in this god vs. any other god?

According to jewish tradition god is a prerequisite for existence and by definition you can't have more than one god.